Petitions are Attempt to Keep Trauma Center Open

St. Louis, MO – The St. Louis Clergy Coalition delivered thousands of signatures to DePaul Health Center officials today in an effort to keep trauma services available there.

DePaul has the only trauma center in North County, and it will close June 30 if $1.5 million in temporary operating funds are not found.

Pastor B.T. Rice says the state should provide some of the money.

"It is our intention to turn these petitions over to the elected officials and the legislators so that they'll understand that this is an issue that we would like for them to put atop their budget agenda," Rice said.

If DePaul is no longer able to keep trauma surgeons on call, the area's five remaining trauma centers will have to take extra patients.